Description: Dual Axis Solar Tracking System with Weather Monitoring

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the controlling of solar panel (in 360 degrees) according to the direction of the sun and the amount of solar energy captured by the solar panels. Maximum solar energy absorption by the solar panels results in the efficient solar energy generation.
The objectives of this invention
The main objective of this invention is to improve the output generation from the solar panels by using sun tracking solar panels such that maximum amount of power would be generated by the panels. So, throughout the day the panel generates maximum power.
Background of the invention
Renewable energy sources have caught the interest of researchers, technologists, investors, and decision-makers all around the world because many fossil fuel sources will inevitably run out in the future. Among the emerging energy sources include hydroelectricity, biofuel, solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, tidal power, and wave power. They are viewed as suitable substitutes for fossil fuel sources because to their renewability type.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is one of those sources of energy that is now the most readily available. the present day This technology is now more commonly employed for residential applications as a result of numerous research and development projects to boost solar cell efficiency and lower their cost. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that from the early 2000s, the capacity of PV systems had been increased by 49% annually on average. Solar photovoltaic energy is anticipated to play a larger role in future power sources. Despite its many advantages, solar PV energy is still a long way from replacing traditional sources in the market. Maximizing the power production of PV systems in locations with insufficient solar radiation is still a challenge. Although we still require manufacturers to develop more sophisticated technologies to increase the capabilities of PV materials, improving the system design and module building is a workable strategy to increase solar PV power's efficiency and make it a reliable option for clients.

US7705277B2 reveals a system which tracks the passage of the sun rays from sunrise to sunset to adjust a solar panel in order to maximize the use of solar energy. So that the solar panel should ideally be tilted away from the horizontal plane at a set angle of around 10 degrees. Moreover, daily motions of the solar panel are carried out in accordance with a predetermined schedule of succeeding cycles. Each cycle in this schedule has a start time (sunrise) and a start location that are established by the sun's orientation in relation to the solar panel.

EP2564128A1 describes a solar tracking system that includes a bed that can be rotated about a turntable, at least one post structure that is supported by the bed, a solar panel assembly that is pivotable to the post structure about a horizontal axis, and direct drive means to rotate the bed and pivot the solar panel assembly. To secure the solar panel assembly to the post structure, ball and socket linkages are used, and a lever arm is connected to the solar pane.

US8946608B2 define the robotic method that moves a solar cell array on the ground to follow the sun. Motors in the solar cell system can adjust the array's location in relation to the sun along different axes. As a second motor rotates the array about an axis that is almost perpendicular to the earth's surface, a first motor alters the array's inclination angle with regard to the surface. The method includes (a) using the computer software algorithm method that is used to forecast where the sun will be in the future; (b) using the computer model to calculate the motors' positions in relation to when the solar cell array will be significantly aligned with the sun; and (c) triggering and running the motors at their appropriate rates in order to substantially align the solar cell array with the sun at a later period. Every point in operation could match the future time. The first future time that corresponds to that moment may be a start-up time after sunrise at which the solar cell is to begin tracking the sun.

As this is a universal problem there are many others who worked on this project but in a different way.
Designing the Solar Tracker System for PV Power Plants (Acta Polytechnica Hungarica (An international peer-reviewed scientific journal of. Archive, 2005), Vol. 7, No. 1, 2010 by Tiberius Tudorache,Liviu Kreindler). This innovation focuses on designing and implementing a solar tracker system specifically for PV conversion panels. The suggested single axis solar tracker device offers the best possible solar energy conversion by correctly aligning the PV panel with the actual location of the sun. The experimental version of the system moves a mini-PV panel in response to signals from two inexpensive but reliable light sensors by employing a DC motor that is intelligently handled by a specialized driving unit. The performance and characteristics of the solar tracker are examined experimentally.

Use of Solar Tracking System for Extracting the Solar Energy. (International Journal of Computer and Electrical Engineering, Vol.4, No.1, February 2012 by Gagari Deb and Arijit Bardhan Roy).
The source of solar energy is a numerical value in Lab View software in this innovation. Wire is used to connect two sensors that are located in opposite directions with the input values. Here, the sensor consists of two thermometers. The thermometers' outputs are coupled to meters that display the strength of two directions. A value of 2400 is multiplied by the thermometer's output. When two directions' intensities are measured, they are compared, and the panel is moved to produce the most power possible.

Sun Tracking Solar Panel. (International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 05 Issue: 03 | Mar-2018 by Arbaj N, Sanket G, AsifAli).
The sun tracking system in this invention is built using an 89C51 microprocessor. The components used in this concept include the 89C51 microcontroller, Dummy Solar Panel, Stepper Motor, Voltage Regulator, Diodes, Relay driver IC, and Transformer. This system precisely tracks the sun using a microcontroller 89C51-based circuit with a small number of components and stepper motors.

Summary of the invention
Aiming to generate the most electricity possible, As we all know, solar panels are being utilised even in residential settings to reduce energy consumption, and in certain locations, panels are mounted above street lights so that the electricity produced by the panel is used to operate each street light separately., this in short scenario may look as an small amount but in an long run of power consumption this may be a part of decreasing load on the grid so if we manage to produce the maximum solar energy through the panels already installed (or) panels that are going to be installed, all the time during the day this may be a solution to power shortage problem in many cases as we can also send the extra power which could not be stored by the batteries to the grid, this may also be helpful not up to a large extent but could be utilized to manage the demand when marked up to a higher scale.
The proposed idea comes into play as a solar panel at a constant angle could not generate the maximum amount of energy all the time from morning to evening as the direction of sun changes all the time throughout the day and also the sun directions will change according to the seasonal changes so when we tilt the panel (in 360 degrees) according to the direction of the sun we could acquire the maximum amount of sun rays and generate the maximum voltage that could be generated by solar panel.
Detailed description of the invention
Due to likely future shortage of fossil fuel supply, renewable energy sources have attracted the interest of numerous academics, technologists, investors, and decision-makers worldwide. Hydroelectricity, biofuel, solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, and wave power are a few of the newly developed energy sources. They are considered potential substitutes for fossil fuel sources because to their renewability.
The current invention relates to a dual-axis solar tracker, namely one with a vertical axis and another horizontal axis around which it will revolve to follow the sun's course, as was already indicated. Said axes are part of a metal profile framework that is supported at its center and by wheels on its outer edges. This structure is then supported by a running surface or track. The mentioned structure, which includes the horizontal axis on which at least one board is located for receiving the solar modules or panels, rotates on said horizontal axis in order to maintain the solar panels perpendicular to the sun's rays. The solar tracker rotates on a fixed central point on which the vertical axis of the tracker is supported. The construction of the solar tracker, which is ideally made of metal, especially one or more of the boards, includes or is assembled with a solar panel or panels for gathering solar energy. The board or boards in question then form a plane that is kept perpendicular to the sun's rays, meaning that the solar panels built into the boards are kept perpendicular to maximize the capture of solar energy.
The structure's board or board, and thus the plane of solar modules or panels, is capable of two rotational movements: one about a vertical axis and the other about a horizontal axis, both of which are perpendicular to one another. The lower point of the vertical axis is fixed to the ground, such that the tracker rotates with regard to said fixed point, whereas the horizontal axis, perpendicular to the vertical axis, permits the rotation of the board or boards possible with respect to it. Although such panels can obviously rotate in an asynchronous manner, i.e., independently, for example in those situations in which the means of the traction elements of any of the boards does not operate correctly, it is recommended that they rotate in synchronized fashion, forming a single plane, in the case of more than one board of panels. The dual-axis solar tracker that the current invention aims to provide enables for preserving the perpendicularity of solar modules or panels with respect to the sun's rays, regardless of the sun's position, which varies during the day. As previously mentioned, at least one board serves as the plane of panels, integrating the solar tracker structure and supporting the solar panels. Said boards are supported on the aforementioned rolling structure, which rotates with respect to a central point fixed to a footing for locking the entire assembly. The rolling structure spins as a result of the action of said drive wheels (motor-driven wheels with automated geared motors) on a running track or horizontal surface. The rolling structure is supported on a vertical axis at its centre and on wheels in its periphery (ground, planar bed plate, concrete girder, metal profile, etc.).
The horizontal axis, which will be divided into two horizontal axes if the tracker has two boards, is incorporated into the rolling structure and determines and controls the rotation of the board or boards, and consequently, of the plane of solar modules or panels. Automated drives, such as worm screw mechanism geared motors, are preferred. With this simple automation, the rotation of the board or boards with regard to the horizontal axis or axes, and consequently the rotation of the solar panels with respect to the same, is accomplished for each day and season of the year. If the boards are independent, the automated drives can be common for all of the boards or independent for each board, allowing the boards to spin synchronously yet separately operated.
A control unit (of the optical type or programmable automaton type) is used to rotate both the tracker's solar panels in relation to the vertical axis and horizontal axes in accordance with the position of the sun and the weather. This rotation is controlled both with respect to the vertical axis or point and with respect to the horizontal axis or axes. The rolling structure is composed of a lattice girder structural assembly and, as was already noted, is supported on the running surface by wheels and on a single, fixed vertical rotation point in the center. Said structure also includes the horizontal rotation axis and the board or boards on which the solar panels are installed. Its structure features a protrusion at the front of it in the form of a snout, which gives the structural assembly and therefore the solar device a great deal of stability.
The solar tracker that the invention suggests also contains a mechanism that enables proper functioning on a running surface that isn't quite horizontal, responding to the fluctuations in level of such surface. Hence, a solar tracker that may prevent level changes of its running and support surfaces, avoiding the necessity of exact horizontalness of the running surface on which the tracker is maintained, is another goal of the current invention. The solar tracker object of the present invention will have its plane of panels formed by two boards of solar modules or panels in order to achieve the aforementioned goals, and more specifically in order to prevent the malfunction in the solar tracker due to the non-horizontalness of the running surface. A lattice girder that is a component of the rolling support structure serves as the anchor for said two boards. Given that each of the components has an upper bar and a lower bar coupled to the vertical axis by means of movable couplings, the lattice girder constituting the solar device is horizontally split into two equal portions connected to the vertical axis. There is at least a support and traction wheel on the running surface on the side opposite the coupling's and at its bottom section, i.e. at the outer lower ends of the lattice girder. If the running surface is exactly flat, the upper or lower side of the lattice girder defines a single imaginary horizontal axis. The moving coupling mechanism described here eliminates the requirement that the track or running surface on which the solar tracker rotates be perfectly horizontal.
This mechanism enables the wheels to always make contact with the track or running surface regardless of how horizontal it may be thanks to the weight of the wheels, maintaining traction and support. Said moving couplings are created, for instance, by means of a hinge between the lower bars of the lattice girder and the vertical axis. This hinge transmits all stresses created between the girder and the vertical axis, with the exception of the rotating bending moment that occurs along the hinge axis. The tongue and groove joint are of the type that allows the axial stress in the upper bars of the lattice girder to be only transmitted in a direction approaching the central vertical axis, and it is used in the coupling between the upper bars and the central axis to transmit all stresses between the upper bar and the vertical axis. Not transferring this stress in the direction of moving away from the central vertical axis is what permits the wheel to be sustained on the surface or track even when it is not horizontal and has level deviations.
The use of different solar panels on the board or boards of the tracker in accordance with the needs of the final installer solves the problems associated with the non-standardization of the width, height, and thickness of the solar panels or modules. A final object of the invention is to enable the use of different dimensions of solar panels in the tracker and their fixing in the boards. The board or boards of the solar tracker must be made of a frame that is preferably rectangular inside of which girders with metal profiles slide, spaced apart by the width of the required panel. This is necessary for the system for fixing solar modules or panels in the board or boards of the solar tracker. These metal profiles provide rails that the solar panels may be mounted to without first having to be fastened to the profiles of the boards. For the goal of not lowering the radiation radiated on the active surface of the panels, the flanges of such profiles must be equal to or smaller than the dimension of the panel frame. These profile girders can have any U-, I-shaped section etc.
The solar panels are introduced and slid into the board that incorporates a specific profile based on the measurement of the panel to be used in the rails of its profiles after it has been formed and assembled. If there are clearances, it is then possible to use silicone points to prevent the movement of said panels in the rails due to the potential excessive clearance of the rail. Each board is made up of a metal frame, preferably with a UPN profile or similar, guides or runners positioned inside, and preferably with IPE or UPN profiles or similar, perpendicular to the main girders defining the board's perimeter. The guides are attached to the frame with attachments that permit sliding of the guides on the frame. With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the distance between two guides to match the width of the solar modules or panels that must be slid between the guides. The guides also contain an eccentric flat bar that divides the guide's height into two halves over its whole length. Because the flat bar is eccentric, the two heights are varied, which also enables the use of solar panels of various thicknesses. When solar panels are put between two guides, a permanent stopper or closure on the lower section of the guides keeps them from slipping and falling out of the rail. To prevent the solar panels from being removed from the rails unintentionally, an opening and closing mechanism is set up in the upper half. Steel cables with corresponding tensioners are diagonally used to ensure the stiffening of each panel. These cables attach the corners or edges of the board or boards with the central area of their frame, thereby structurally contributing to the maintenance of the "frame—guides—panel" assembly and offering a practical and necessary securing (Saint Andrew's cross) in an easy way. The current invention is a dual-axis solar tracker that enables preserving the perpendicularity of the solar modules or panels with respect to the sunshine rays, regardless of the sun's location, which varies during the day.
3 Claims and 3 Figures

Brief description of Drawing
Figure 1 Block Diagram of the Overall Structure of the present Invention
Figure 2 Algorithm of the proposed model
Figure 3 Hardware Implementation
Detailed description of the Drawing
LDRs are the primary light sensors, as seen in figure 1. The structure that supports the solar panel is fastened with two DC motors. Microcontroller receives MATLAB and Arduino programmers. They are capable of sensing the amount of sunlight reaching these LDRs. The four LDRs are located top, bottom, left, and right. For east-west tracking, the analogue values from the two top LDRs are compared, and the vertical DC motor will move in the direction that receives lighter if the top pair of LDRs. If the bottom LDRs are exposed to more light, the DC motor descends. In order to compare the analogue findings for the angular deflection of the solar panel, two left LDR'S and two right LDR'S are used. The left set of LDRs receives lighter than the right set, so the horizontal DC motor will move in that direction. The DC motor moves in that way if the right set of LDRs receives more light. Additionally, the microcontroller is connected to the DTH11 sensor and rain sensor to measure the humidity levels and atmospheric temperatures, which are then shown on the LCD display. , Claims:The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims:

Claim:
1. A Dual axis sun tracking solar panel system comprising:
a) A microcontroller for acting according to the inputs mounted on the circuit board.

b) A DC motor drive is used to control the movement of the panel mounted on the circuit board.

c) A set of LDR’S are used to give inputs of light intensities according to the sun rays falling on the panels.

2. According to claim 1, the microcontroller with the help of LDR’S compares the light intensities and governs the direction of panel.

3. According to claim 1, the DC motor drive controls the direction of the solar panel with inputs given by the microcontroller.